The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-08

cOuIun get MIN the OveTcOat, ne would
probably have to do without it; but the
Lord will provide" stopped the words
before they could be spoken, and she
answered simply:
don't know, dear, you ask too many
questions"
"You didn't forget to ask him; did you,
mammal"
No, didn't forget"
For several minutes Freddie stood
still at the window, watching the brick
layers at work on the new house across
the street. Then he turned again and
addressed his mother abruptly:
Mamma, we're studying geography,
now"
The lines of trouble on Mrs. CAROLS
face faded into a smile and she asked
pleasantly:
care you? Do you like it?"
Yes, ma'am, ever so much"
What have you learned?"
Oh, lots of things. 1 know which
ways are north and south and east and
west; and there are ever SO many places
besides just here. And Europe is across
the ocean,
You certainly have learned great
DEAL" said his mother, kissing him.
Teacher says that it is warmer south
than it is here and colder north; and I've
just been thinking that boys up north
will need their overcoats sooner than we
will here, and very likely God is busy
seeing that they all have them. But he'll
see about mine some time before long. I
don't believe he's forgotten about it, and
of course he isn't gong to let me freeze"
Without word mamma bent lower
over her work, and soon the little child
went out to play.
The next morning was bleak and chilly
and Freddie shivered as he dressed him
self. AS Mrs. Carroll kissed linn good
by when he started for school, she told
him to run and try to keep warm, and he
answered cheerily:
THAT overcoat will come pretty soon,
mamma, don't you worry"
At ten o'clock Mrs. Carroll was much
surprised at receiving message from
her brother" Uncle Ed" the children
called him-saying, "Bring Freddie to
my office at noon."
What could it mean? The overcoat"
instantly flashed through her mind, but
she dismissed the thought as quickly as
it came, for Uncle Ed was poor himself
and had his own family to support.
Freddie was greatly excited over the
prospect of trip down town.
"What do you suppose Uncle Ed
wants me for?" he asked. "Do you
think he is going to take me to vote?"
"To vote!" laughed mamma.
Yes; he said that could vote some-
time, and that maybe he would go with
me when did,"
swell, don't think you will vote any
this fall" said mamma, laughing again.
They we're both very quiet and thought
full in the street car, and Mrs. Carroll
Rugged her little boy close to her and
kept one end of her shawl wrapped
tightly around him.
What was their surprise to find not
only Uucle Ed, but Auntie May and
Cousin May, too, waiting for them. And
when, the first thing, Uncle Ed said
eve want to get this boy an overcoat,"
mamma was quite speechless.
"What do you think of that, Freddie?'
asked Uncle Ed, taking the little fellow
on his knee.
well" answered Freddie composedly,
81 knew that 1 was going to have one
before long, because it's getting to be
pretty cold weather." and he rubbed his
hands together vigorously. it's getting
to be pretty cold weather, and I need an
overcoat, and of course I knew that God
would give it to me; because mamma
asked him to and 80 did I, and he has
promised to take care of us-and he never
forgets."
The grown folks did not break the
silence which follow, but looked at each
other in an swe- stricken way, and pres.
emily Freddie added rehectively:
But didn't know he was going to
have you give it to me, Uncle Ed; where
is it put away?"
It's at a store, my nice little man;
come, we'll go and get it,"
1t took some time to select the coat, for
believe that if they had found gar
ment which had been made for little
prince, Uncle Ed would have been afraid
that it wasn't quite nice enough for Fred
die. At length the decision was arrived
at, and then Freddie and his mamma
found new surprise awaiting them, for
Auntie May said:
{" 1t has been the vote of our entire
family that this little boy shall have not
only nice overcoat but suit of clothes
and hat, too"
How they all enjoyed watching him
being fitted; for he was too delighted to
say word but stood with his lips apart
showing all his white little teeth. He
felt very proud and happy in the street
car with his new overcoat and hat on and
sitting by mamma, not close enough to
be wrapped in her shawl, but still near
enough to lay one hand on her lap. AS
he marched up the front steps, with his
hands thrust deep in his pockets. he ex-